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Today we are learning about 12 additional cases of COVID-19 in Manitoba.
The province now has a total of 194 lab-confirmed and probable cases. There are 10 people in hospital because of the virus, with 6 in intensive care, and 2 deaths.
There are 14 healthcare workers in Manitoba that have tested positive for COVID-19. According to chief nursing officer for Shared Health, Lanette Siragusa, no healthcare workers in the Prairie Mountain Health Region have tested positive.
COVID tests at the Betel Home in Gilmi have revealed no residents have contracted the virus. There was some concern earlier this week when at least one staff member at the Betel Home tested positive.
Going forward, isolation centres are being established; one of the first is at a hotel in Winnipeg. It will start accepting people over the weekend, in order to provide a dedicated space where confirmed cases can safely self-isolate. Isolation centres will use enhanced cleaning and disinfecting practices, and practice all social and physical distancing guidelines.
The Manitoba government has decided to postpone the remaining dates for making campground reservations. More information is available at www.gov.mb.ca/sd/parks/.
You are reminded to remain close to home during this time and limit travel, even within the province, to essential trips only.
Any person concerned about their exposure to or risk of having COVID-19 should call Health Links–Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or (toll-free) at 1-888-315-9257 to be screened to see if a test is required.
For more information and to access the online screening tool for COVID-19, click here.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Wasagaming RCMP are looking for a man accused of several charges, including sexual assault.
23-year-old Thomas Desmond Bird is wanted on several warrants for charges including sexual assault with a weapon, sexual interference, forcible confinement, and more.
Police say he may be in the areas of Rolling Rover First Nation or Erickson.
Anyone with information is asked to call Wasagaming RCMP at 204-848-2442.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
Brandon University recognizes that students have been forced into a very difficult situation, and have decided to offer a safety net heading into the exam period.
Instead of traditional letter grades, BU students will now be able to chose to convert grades into a “Pass” or “No Credit” grading system.
The “Pass” option allows students to be able to move on in their program, without worrying about an adverse impact to their GPA.
Students who opt for the “No Credit” option will not earn a course credit, but will prevent their failing grade from having a negative impact on their GPA.
The University says this is a difficult time to assess academic merit, and that many students are also facing unforeseen challenges like childcare or job loss, so the University is adding this option to reduce stress for students.
Students will be given their standard letter grade upon completion of their coursework, then will have to apply for grade conversion no later than May 20, 2020.
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
During these unprecedented times, teachers will have to find ways to continue providing their students with meaningful learning opportunities. Mountain View Teachers' Association President Chance Henderson says teachers are up to the challenge.
“Obviously we’d prefer to be in classroom with our students, but we’re working diligently to make this experience is positive and meaningful for our students.”
With students out of class indefinitely, many local teachers will be exploring online options to deliver learning.
Henderson says one of the challenges we face in the Parkland is access. Some students don’t have access to reliable internet, or even technology (computers, tablets, iPads). He says teachers will essentially have to do double-duty, preparing content for online learning, and also more traditional content such as learning packages.
When asked if he’s noticed any teachers going above and beyond during these uncertain times, the Teachers' Association president said there’s too many to name.
“I think it would be impossible to highlight just one. Every single teacher is putting in an exceptional effort to deliver meaningful learning opportunities to students during this challenging time.”
As for a timeline, we hope to have an idea of what these online learning platforms will look like in the coming week.
Henderson says he’s confident teachers will work to find solutions during this time.
“Teachers are professionals”, Henderson said, “we’re up to the challenge.”
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- Contributed by Matt Hamel
The province will spend more than $100 million to accelerate how fast Manitoba can get essential medical supplies, equipment, hotel capacity and other critical needs.
Today Premier Brian Pallister announced new steps to secure faster and smarter healthcare.
“Our government is creating a special 100 million dollar procurement fund. This fund will help businesses tool up their operations. Some have already approached this challenge, and we thank them for that. This will help others do the same to tool up their operations, and workforces to manufacture essential medical supplies and equipment like gowns, masks, and face shields.”
Pallister says the three focuses of the government are (1) faster and smarter healthcare equipment procurement, (2) extra support and tax relief for businesses and homeowners, and (3) increasing shelter capacity for our most vulnerable.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Manitoba Public Health Officials have announced 15 new cases of COVID-19.
The total number of cases in the province is now 182. Nine people are ins hospital, 6 are in intensive care. There have been two deaths in Manitoba related to COVID-19.
In the Prairie Mountain Health region, there is a total of 12 cases.
PMH says there were 16 people tested yesterday at the drive-thru screening site in Dauphin. A total of 39 people have been tested for COVID-19 at this location. When you include the testing sites in Brandon, there have been a total of 278 people tested in PMH Region.
Chief public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin has indicated that anyone who’s had close, prolonged contact with someone who has tested positive will be contacted by public health.
Specific information, such as the location of a positive case, will only be officially released if public health believe that it would help people better address their public health risk.
Any person concerned about their exposure to or risk of having COVID-19 should call Health Links–Info Santé at 204-788-8200 or (toll-free) at 1-888-315-9257 to be screened to see if a test is required.
For more information and to access the online screening tool for COVID-19, visit www.manitoba.ca/covid19.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
The Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba has decided to cancel the 2020 Manitoba Summer Fair in Brandon.
This is due to the coronavirus and the provincially mandated regulations for public health and safety.
After having to cancel the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair, the board decided cancelling the Manitoba Summer Fair is the most fiscally and socially responsible action they could take.
The summer and winter fairs generate a combined 18 million dollars and create hundreds of jobs, including first-time opportunities for youth.
Ron Kristjansson, General Manager, says they will do everything in their power to continue to bring high quality community events for years to come and continue to be an integral part of the community as they have been for 138 years.
"We are committed to producing the events our community needs, but when the time is right."
The Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba will continue to monitor the COVID situation and will update the public on the status of future events.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
At a time when everyone is practicing social distancing, so many people have unfortunately lost contact with their family. Not because they want to, but some don't have the technology to stay in touch.
Having the ability to go online can be the saviour during this time for those who want to keep in touch with their family. Phone calls, of course, are one way, but with a computer, you can do a skype call and many other options that would allow you to see your family or friends that you haven't been able to.
Tech Manitoba understands this is a challenging time and they're ready to help Manitobans. The company is giving away 200 desktop computers which include a mouse and a keyboard. They will be giving them away to those who need them. So if you know someone who has been out of touch with their family and a desktop could help, you can nominate them.
These computers will be refurbished as they've been donated by fellow Manitobans.
"We're trying to get these computers into the hands of people who are feeling very isolated and left out," said Margaux Miller, Program Director of Tech Manitoba. "Staying in touch with people on voice calls is great, but adding the component of visual is even better. We want to help those that want to do that but they don't have the ability to do so right now."
Anyone in the province is eligible for this. If you want to nominate someone or perhaps even yourself, you can head to nominate. In your submission, you need to explain why that person or family is deserving. You can also call 431-478-0165 and leave a message.
In the first 24 hours of opening up the nominations, there were more than 100. Miller adds that continues to grow every single day.
And if you're not great on computers, that's okay because there will be a full booklet that will provide you with the basic knowledge needed.
The deadline to nominate someone is April 10 at 11:59:59 p.m.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Trudeau announced that the federal government is sending $100 million to organizations that feed people who can't afford to feed themselves, such as food banks and the Salvation Army.
He adds that the federal government has partnered with Amazon to use its distribution network to send medical supplies to meet provincial needs.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he's confident there will be no disruptions in the supply chain.
Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu says the global market for personal protective equipment is growing more competitive, leading to inflated prices.
She says our country will focus on what is needed, while keeping a close eye on the cost.
Here in Manitoba, the government is calling for the donation of essential medical supplies.
A list of needed items can be found here.
For more information on donating, you can call (toll-free) 1-833-408-0101 or visit Manitoba.ca/covid19.
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- Contributed by Tess Kovach
Yesterday the Dauphin Fire Department saluted those working on the front lines.
Fire Chief Cam Abrey got the idea from a social media post asking people to step out on their front doorstep and make some noise for the front line workers.
“We thought, you know what, we’re going to pull all the firetrucks out and we’re going to sound the sirens for 30 seconds. So we did that and broadcasted it on our social media outlets, on Twitter and Facebook and had quite the reaction. I’m looking around and I’m seeing a lot of other communities, a lot of other departments that are doing some things to pay their thanks to everybody in the public and we thought, let’s do something in our area. So I sent the message out to our mutual aid partners, the other departments within the Parkland, Riding Mountain mutual aid district and Ste. Rose, Grandview, Gilbert Plains all participated last night where they did drive-bys to their health care facilities.”
Some of the communities don’t have health care facilities, Ochre River, for example, so they hung a sign in their fire station in support of the workers.
Abrey says they invited the RCMP and EMS to join them.
“We had quite the parade where we went by the hospital and just took a step out onto the front ramp and we had a little banner that we showed everyone that was inside, showing why we are thankful for them.”
Abrey says even though they drove by the hospital, the salute is for everyone in the medical field and everyone else still working with the public.
As the only full-time staff member at the Dauphin Fire Department, Abrey has been able to follow social distancing rules while still being at the fire station every day. The coronavirus has changed how things work, but even before self-isolation came into play, Abrey says they asked their members to stay home if they’re sick.
“We have moved to an app where we’re able to determine how many firefighters are able to attend, so when the emergency call comes out, they’re able to press a number on the app and it tells us here at the station how many people are able to respond. That gives us the option of moving to mutual aid and calling in assisting fire departments if need be.”
Since the fire department is an essential service, they must still train. Abrey says in the classroom, they obey social distancing, he adds that it’s hard to do on an emergency call, but they are wearing their personal protective equipment.
Over the weekend, the fire department might pull some trucks out and sound the sirens.
“We’ve heard that some people are thinking there’s major calls happening when they hear the sirens, but we’re just trying to make some noise to thank some people that are still out there working.”
Cam Abrey says if you’d like to take part, stand on your front step and make some noise, clap, or grab some pots and pans. He also says to look for when people are going to be doing this because there are people planning it and trying to make it nationwide.
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- Contributed by Isaac Wihak
The United States won't be providing Canada with any more N95 respirators, effective immediately. U.S.-based company 3M which supplies the respirators will no longer.
Donald Trump has ordered the company based in Minnesota to produce and sell as many medical-grade masks as the Federal Emergency Management Agency says it needs.
If you have some extra N95 respirators, the Manitoba government is encouraging you to donate them.
They are also urging Canadians to donate the following:
-Surgical/procedure masks.
-Gloves.
-Disposable gowns.
-Disinfectants and cleaners.
Supplies must be in the original packaging, clean and in useable condition.
Expired supplies are not able to be accepted.
For more information on donating, you can call (toll-free) 1-833-408-0101 or visit donate.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
